Russian Poseidon Torpedo Explained: Nuclear Underwater Drone That Can Trigger a Tsunami.

The Russian autonomous torpedo Poseidon is the focus of a new Army Recognition article and video report detailing its design and purpose. The nuclear-powered weapon, officially designated 2M39, demonstrates how Russia is reshaping undersea deterrence strategy with long-range, AI-driven systems.

The Russian autonomous torpedo Poseidon is the focus of this Army Recognition article and accompanying video report, which explains the weapon’s design, purpose and strategic implications. Officially designated 2M39 and known by NATO as Kanyon, Poseidon is a nuclear-powered intercontinental torpedo developed to operate undetected across vast distances beneath the ocean surface. Unlike traditional naval weapons, it is designed to deliver a multi-megaton thermonuclear warhead directly to coastal targets. Russian defense sources claim it can trigger a radioactive tsunami, flooding major port cities and rendering them uninhabitable. With deep-sea stealth, autonomous navigation and nuclear propulsion, Poseidon introduces a radically new form of underwater nuclear deterrence.
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Russia’s Poseidon is a nuclear-powered autonomous torpedo designed to strike coastal targets and trigger a radioactive tsunami, bypassing traditional missile defense systems through deep-sea stealth. (Picture source: Russia Social Network)

The new autonomous torpedo Poseidon was developed by Russia’s Rubin Design Bureau in collaboration with defense-industrial partners and was first publicly acknowledged by President Vladimir Putin in 2018 as part of a suite of new strategic weapons. It is broadly classified as a strategic, autonomous underwater vehicle, but functions essentially as an intercontinental nuclear-powered torpedo capable of bypassing traditional missile defenses by operating at great depths and evading surface detection.

While detailed specifications remain classified, open-source intelligence and Russian media reports suggest that Poseidon is approximately 20 m long and about 2 m in diameter, with an estimated weight of about 100 tonnes. These figures are based on leaked visuals and analytical assessments rather than confirmed technical disclosures. The system is powered by a compact nuclear reactor that reportedly provides it with virtually unlimited operational range. Some estimates place its top speed as high as 100 knots, or roughly 185 kilometers per hour, although many Western defense experts view that figure with skepticism and consider more conservative speeds in the range of 30 to 70 knots more likely in sustained operation.

The weapon is designed to strike coastal targets from below the surface, potentially detonating a multi-megaton warhead near population centers or naval infrastructure. Russian state media and defense officials have promoted its capacity to generate a radioactive tsunami, a massive wave of contaminated water that could sweep over cities, ports, and military bases. While the concept of a nuclear-induced tsunami remains controversial and scientifically disputed, even without such an effect, the sheer explosive force and radiological impact of a Poseidon detonation would result in catastrophic damage.

The main launch platform for the Poseidon is believed to be the Project 09852 nuclear-powered submarine K-329 Belgorod, which was delivered to the Russian Navy in 2022. This specially modified Oscar II-class submarine is designed to carry up to six Poseidon torpedoes and operate under the control of the Russian Navy’s special operations command. Belgorod is also reportedly equipped for deep-sea missions involving seabed surveillance, cable interception, and undersea sensor deployment, making it a hybrid platform for strategic and asymmetrical operations.

Poseidon is framed by Russian military doctrine as a second-strike weapon. It is a retaliatory system intended to survive a first wave of nuclear attacks and ensure massive counter-response capability. Its underwater deployment profile is designed to exploit gaps in missile defense architectures. These defenses are intended primarily to intercept airborne or space-based threats. By presenting an undetectable vector of nuclear attack from the ocean floor, Poseidon adds a new layer of complexity to Western deterrence planning.

Despite Moscow's claims of successful tests and operational readiness, many technical details remain uncertain. Questions persist regarding the system’s autonomous navigation reliability, command and control in GPS-denied environments, and targeting precision in littoral waters. As of late 2025, Russia has announced the completion of at least one test cycle, but independent confirmation remains elusive.

Poseidon’s emergence marks a broader trend in the militarization of the undersea domain. With increasing attention on Arctic routes, critical seabed infrastructure, and long-range autonomous systems, undersea warfare is rapidly evolving. NATO and allied forces are now investing in expanded undersea surveillance networks, anti-submarine technologies, and counter-UUV capabilities to address the threat posed by systems like Poseidon.

While the weapon’s most headline-grabbing feature is the notion of a radioactive tsunami, its true strategic value lies in its stealth, endurance, and unpredictability. Poseidon represents a fusion of Cold War nuclear doctrine with next-generation autonomous systems, and its development reflects Russia's clear intent to challenge conventional assumptions about nuclear deterrence and maritime security.

Regardless of its operational status, Poseidon has already forced navies and defense planners to reassess strategy, introducing a nuclear threat from underwater rather than from the air.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.